Brenda Lynn Shepherd

Services for Brenda Lynn Shepherd, 54, of Tyler, will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church, South Campus in Tyler with Reverends Jim Jackson, Chris Legg and Pat Alvey officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Brenda Lynn Bell Shepherd ran into the arms of Jesus early on the morning of February 11, 2015 in Tyler, Texas. Brenda was a true and living example of a servant’s heart. She was born July 24, 1960 in Marshall to Bill E. Sr. and Linda Burks Bell. Brenda was a member of First Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school and worked with the youth group for over 20 years at Friendly Baptist Church. She graduated from Letourneau University with an MBA. She was the executive director of Physicians Contracting Organization of Texas (PCOT) for 16 years. Brenda was well known for her passion for Jesus, serving others, and cooking. She served on many mission trips including to Mexico, Romania, Canada, and around the United States. Brenda opened her home to multiple foreign exchange students, giving them a home, excellent American food, and mothering, while they were away from home. In addition to her parents, Brenda was preceded in death by grandmother, Evelyn Burks; grandson, Jonah Duke and mother-in-law, Donna Shepherd. She is survived by her loving family including her husband of 36 years, Doug Shepherd of Tyler; daughters, Jennifer Roach and husband Ben and Lindsey Duke and husband Kevin; son, Cory Shepherd and fiancé Lee Correa and daughters loved-as-her-own, Georgeanna Jones and Lisa Beale; grandchildren, Elijah Duke, Noah Roach, Luke Roach and soon-to-be granddaughter, Abigail Duke; mother, Sue Bell; siblings, Bill Bell, Jr., Belinda Cook, Barbara Powers and Beth Calhoun. Pallbearers will be Mel Peters, Gary Easterling, Bill Bell, Jr., Chris Cook, Mark Brotherton, and Ben Roach. Honorary pallbearers will be Trevor Bell, Travis Bell, Brendan Welch, Connor Powers, and Micah Robinson. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, memorials and tributes may be made to HopeMommies.org/donate-blackbaud or First Baptist Church South Campus Missions Fund, 17002 Hwy 69 South, Tyler, TX 75703.

Brenda Lynn Shepherd

July 24, 1960 - February 11, 2015